The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-18
OUT OF THE wILDs.
A Country Where the Three RS Are
Practiced to Kill OFF Time.

A Country Where the Three RS Are
Practiced to Kill Off Time.
1.-The nights at Juneau, in Alaska, are no
longer than they are here" said ex-Collector
of the Port of Sitka Peter French to a San
Francisco Examiner reporter, but take
the day and nights together they are
pretty long. To wear the dreary hours
away we study reading, writing and arith-
meticn
The ex-Collector spoke in cynical vein.
For three years he had been buried in Alaska
wllds, and it was plain that he was glad to
get out.
Its a mining country-thats all" said
he. 1T is rock-ribbed and rock-bound. Jul
neau is the liveliest town in the territory
1t has LOCO white and 1000 Indian popula-
ton, and is building fifty new houses right
now. 1t is the outfitting point for the Yu-
kon mines, and is in every way the most
important town of the country. Nobody
yet knSws anything about the progress thus
far this year in the Yukon region, for no
body has come out of there vet Last year
the mines did very we'll We think the fu-
ture will show that they have done better
this year
"Times are not very lively at Sitka. 1t
has about 300 or 400 whites and Russians
and some 600 Indians. 1t is dull and in
active Gov. Swineford's paper, the Alas
and think it has died The Free Press at
Juneau is coming along about as well as
usual.
There is some important mining news to
give you. The Treadwell people on Doug
las Island are increasing their plant from
100 stamps to 240. They have been crush
ing 300 tons day hitherto for two years.
The new mine will make it 600. The ore
runs from So to $l3 ton, and averages
about IS.
"a Boston syndicate, headed by Thomas
Knowles is putting up 16o-stamp mill. al
SO, on Douglas Island, and building a wharf.
They have good property there, which will
pay very well. The same company has
property at Bernes Bay, where 1 am also
interested. The ore there is of an entirely
different character. 1t is richer by great
deal
There are now about 100 stamps, all told
in Southeastern Alaska. Next year think
there will he at least 500 or 1000, as con-
siderable capital is going in. This Boston
firm expects to put in 100000 this
year, and many people now living there
expect to put in a few thousand each
There will be good many new mines
opened.
1.-THE Indians are giving no trouble in
Alaska. They are working Indians They
are all Thlinkets, but are subdivided into
ChilkahtS. fStickeens, Yaktals and so on.
They are very peaceable.
II don't think much of Lieut.. Fred
Schwatkas scheme to start big cattle
ranch on the Aleutian Islands. | don't
think it will work There may be a suffi-
Gent area, and the grass good. The climate.
too, would not interfere, since the warm
waves Of the Pacific beat upon it; bu what
would he do with his cattle after he had
them raiseds If he undertook to sell them,
] reckon he would find Nevada, California,
and three or four other States and Terrific
ries could underbid him by good deal.
Mr.. Schwatl5a would have TO stand a trife
rough and good deal of meat would be
shaken off the cattles bones before they got
here.
''Itis raining heavily in Alaska now. 1t
rains good deal of the time and was COM
ing down thick ond fast when left"
Mr. French said he was very glad to get
away. He will remain here two or three
days and then proceed to New York.